Tag: glory

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Now We Wait

Preparations have been made, hearts are ready, let us celebrate the day of the Lord! Over the past month, we have fasted, feasted and set our hearts on a pilgrimage to seek the Lord. We have been looking forward to celebrating a glorious day. It is the greatest day in the history of mankind. On the third day, the breath of life returned back into the body of the Son of Man, raising Him from death to life, signifying the work of the cross and the work of the grave was finished. Mankind, now through Jesus has the right, the privilege, and the opportunity, once again to walk and abide in the presence of our Holy God. Praise His name! Every year tradition has us celebrating the day the world calls Easter, but we who believe know it as the day of the resurrection of our Lord. So today here we are, that festive day has come and past, the merriment, and activities have died down and I’m left asking this one question…What now?

If ever there was a whisper of the voice of a prophet in me, it most surely is now. Like the beating of a drum, these words echo with resolve out of the recesses of my spirit. The heavenly answer to my question “What now?” is:

“Now we wait!”

Now we wait? What does it mean to wait?

Waiting can be a demonstration of faith because even though you don’t know what will happen next, the very act of waiting expresses a desire that something, in fact, will come. Though expressed differently, waiting and hoping are -at the very least- first cousins. The Biblical definition of hope is joyful anticipation of good. So we wait because we expect something good. As well, the words trust and rest and expectation should also be holding hands in this circle of faith. This faith allows us to turn our head toward an ancient east wind blowing out of Jerusalem to listen to the voice of the disciples as they whisper these same words: “Now we wait!” The words of their Messiah rang true in spirit as they remembered what Jesus had told them,

‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.’

For forty days Jesus had appeared to His followers giving them many convincing proofs that He indeed was alive. Jesus had disappeared into the clouds and now the disciples were trudging inquisitively back to gather together in Jerusalem. Jesus had commanded them, “Wait for the promise.” They really didn’t know or understand what exactly they waited for. How could they? This new and glorious gift had never been seen or done before in this manner. Still, by faith, they waited. Faith created an expectancy and anticipation in their hearts. If the past three years had taught them anything, it was simply to trust in what Jesus says and don’t try to bring their own understanding into the equation. Experience had taught them no matter what they expected or whatever happened, it was going to be far greater than they could ever imagine. Love now commanded their heart. Experience had taught them to trust. Faith was the fuel for hope that burned fervently inside them. That hope produced a heartfelt expectation that good things were coming! With a resolve as certain as words etched into stone, each were waiting and proclaiming, “Yes…God is good!” And God was good. And God is good. And God will always be good!
As sure as the sunrise, the promise came like wind and fire with unexplainable power and glory, touching the hearts and souls of all who found faith in waiting.

The miracle of this moment turned a group of one hundred twenty who waited into a love struck army of three thousand. These Spirit-filled believers would begin a movement that even to this day would turn the world upside down. Two thousand years later, here we are, actively and expectantly waiting. Just like those extraordinary men and women of old, we really don’t know what is next. We are not sure what we are waiting for, but still, we wait. Our hearts are excited and full of joy. We wait with the excitement of young children on Christmas morning. Our eyes are open and dodging sleep. Our lamps are burning brightly and full to the brim with oil. If the Bridegroom knocks, we are awake and ready to fling open the door, fall on our face and kiss His beautiful feet.

So to answer the burning question in our hearts that is asking “what now?” is this:

“Now we wait!”
I pray you find much joy in the waiting!
“And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.” (Ps. 39:7)

“Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes wait for the Lord.” (Ps. 27:14)

“Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength.” (Isa. 40:31)

“But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.” (Ro. 8:25)

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There is Glory to Behold, and It Will Change You

Staying childlike is the key that opens the door to undiscovered wonder.
It is a great tragedy that the routine and responsibility of the daily grind has a way blinding us and making us numb to really glorious things. Slowly, we move from a colorful, exciting, carnival type lifestyle into a more black and white factory type of living.
Ugh! Don’t despair, there is a deep groan swelling inside our souls that yearn for glorious adventure. A magical place where living life to the fullest moves us from a blurry and distant thought into an actual reality.

Being in the construction field most of my life, I have discovered a captivating phenomena. I find the things I give my attention to suddenly attract and hold my attention. I’ll give you an example. Years ago, I started out as a stone mason. Because stonework was what I focused on all day, I found myself consistently drawn to any and every kind of stone work where ever I went. All of a sudden it seemed that stone work just seemed to appear everywhere. Strategically, my eyes would closely examine it, critique it and try to learn from what I liked and what I didn’t like.

Through the years, as I worked in many different trades, I found myself being attracted to and even captivated by whatever that specific trade was. If it was roofing, I would always be looking at roofs. If it was concrete, I would check out every little sidewalk, foundation, wall, curb and street in sight. What I discovered is this process didn’t just pertain to construction. If I was busy with landscaping or lawn work at home, then I noticed manicured lawns everywhere. Do you see the correlation here? It’s like whatever we give our attention to, suddenly, almost mysteriously, those things now invite our attention and even give us the ability to see things we previously overlooked or took for granted.

It has been said, what we focus on empowers us. This carries not only positive but negative connotations as well. Ever notice how cynicism and complaining create such an infectious atmosphere and destroys any semblance of hope? On the other hand, ever notice how joyful, enthusiastic people awaken possibility, giving us permission and almost daring us to dream again? The same principle applies, what we focus on and give our attention to directs our paths.

A word we see throughout scripture that supports this idea is meditate. I am thrilled at the idea of meditating or focusing on a specific something carries the power to open my eyes, enhance my vision and allow me to see that which was previously veiled. The Greek word, “Antenizo,” mostly translated, “Fixed his gaze” has essentially the same thought, which means, “to fix one’s mind.”

So what’s the real world application here?

First, although I am in this world and everyday life continues, the world doesn’t own me. If I make it my resolve, the world cannot control me. A good start might be to back away from the enticements of the world and to begin to focus more on the instruction given in Chapter 3 of Colossians.

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on the earth

If I am serious about walking this out, I probably have to make some serious lifestyle changes.

Less media.

Less distractions.
Less time worrying about the state of the Union and more time learning about the state of the Kingdom.
More time in the Word.
More time in prayer.
More time in worship.
More time with like-minded friends.
More time impacting a lost world that desperately needs hope. Giving sight to the blind. Healing the sick. Raising the dead. Making disciples. Loving more. Caring more. Giving more. Oops! I got excited.

I really am determined to be more intentional to give my full attention to Kingdom activity and if the saying what we focus on empowers us holds true, then there is hidden treasure just waiting to be revealed. Treasure that brings glory to our Father in heaven! What could be better? Right? Now only one question remains…Join me?

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you…Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” (Col. 3)

May you be fully alive and find overwhelming joy in this wonderful journey!

Bless you friend.  Jeff